Clinical efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide for acne vulgaris: Comparison between Japanese and Western patients

Abstract

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) has been well established as a common medication for acne vulgaris in many countries (e.g. in Europe and the USA), where clinical data have been accumulated over a long time. In Japan, the use of BPO for acne treatment was approved in 2014, and the results of clinical trials in Japanese patients have recently been reported. This review compares clinical study results between Japanese and Western patients. Clinical studies that had been performed in Western countries were searched on the basis of the criteria, double‐blind studies of BPO monotherapy and comparison with a vehicle group. Two reports of Japanese studies were also selected by using the same criteria. Efficacy was assessed by comparing the mean difference between the BPO and the vehicle groups for reduction rate in the number of lesions from baseline, and there were no differences between Japanese and Western patients. Safety assessment also showed that the incidence of adverse events was higher in Japanese patients than in Western patients, but the characteristics of the adverse events were not different. Therefore, we conclude that there are no significant differences in the efficacy and safety of BPO between these patient populations. The efficacy and safety of long‐term use in Japanese patients are also expected to be applicable to those in Western patients.

Probiotic Application of Bacteriocin-Producing S. Epidermidis in A Cellulosic Pad to Treat Some Skin Infections

“…The main trigger to this wave of orientation is the rising incidence of multidrug resistant bacterial infections. One of the examples on these previously uncommon methods is the use of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) instead of antibiotics to treat acne, with the key difference is that BPO does not induce antibiotic resistance [42]. There is an increasing interest in using probiotics in both sides of doctors and end users.…”

<p>Antiacne and antiblotch activities of a formulated combination of <em>Aloe barbadensis</em> leaf powder, <em>Garcinia mangostana</em> peel extract, and <em>Camellia sinensis</em> leaf extract</p>

“…Generally, topical comedolytics and antibiotics are the common therapy for acne treatment. However, they have several adverse effects, such as skin irritation, peeling, burning, and abnormal skin pigmentation 18,19. This calls for an effective antiacne regimen with minimal undesirable outcomes.…”

Acne Protection: Measures & Miseries

“…It has mild sebostatic and keratolytic effects without a concern for the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Studies suggested that AEs at the application site occurred more often in Japanese patients than Western patients, most of the AEs were mild [172], [177]. It is most effective when used in combination with other acne vulgaris therapies [35].…”